An AI Ally to Combat Bullying in Virtual Worlds

In any fictionalized universe, the distinction between playful antagonism and earnest harassment can be difficult to discern. Name-calling between friends playing a video game together is often a form of camaraderie. Between strangers, however, similar words assume a different, more troublesome quality. Being able to distinguish between the two is crucial for any video-game maker that wants to foster a welcoming community. Spirit AI hopes to help developers support players and discourage bullying behavior with an abuse detection and intervention system called Ally.